嫡

dí

啇 + 女

Definitions

dí (bound form) of or by the wife, as opposed to a concubine (contrasted with 庶[shù])

Etymology phono-semantic

woman

Semantic: 女 Phonetic: 啇

About

The character 嫡 is a phono-semantic compound, combining the female radical 女 on the left with the phonetic component 啇 on the right. Historically, it specifically denoted the primary legal wife in a polygamous marriage, distinguishing her and her offspring from those of concubines. This semantic foundation extended to concepts of legitimate descent, direct bloodlines, and rightful inheritance within aristocratic hierarchies. Although the original marital system has faded, the character remains in modern use to indicate direct biological relations, the core branch of a lineage, or the authentic tradition of a school of thought.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他是家族的嫡长子。

Tā shì jiāzú de dí zhǎng zǐ.

He is the family's legitimate eldest son.

这位嫡子继承了大笔财产。

Zhè wèi dí zǐ jìchéng le dà bǐ cáichǎn.

This legitimate son inherited a large fortune.

他是公司嫡系的管理人员。

Tā shì gōngsī díxì de guǎnlǐ rényuán.

He is a management personnel from the direct line of the company.

嫡传弟子得到了真传。

Dí chuán dìzǐ dédào le zhēn chuán.

The directly transmitted disciple received the true teaching.

在古代，嫡子拥有优先继承权。

Zài gǔdài, dí zǐ yōngyǒu yōuxiān jìchéng quán.

In ancient times, legitimate sons had priority inheritance rights.

作为嫡亲孙子，他深受祖父的宠爱。

Zuòwéi dí qīn sūnzi, tā shēn shòu zǔfù de chǒng'ài.

As a blood grandson, he is deeply loved by his grandfather.

嫡系部队在战争中发挥了关键作用。

Díxì bùduì zài zhànzhēng zhōng fāhuī le guānjiàn zuòyòng.

The direct line troops played a key role in the war.

尽管他是嫡出，但家族企业最终由能力更强的庶子接管。

Jǐnguǎn tā shì dí chū, dàn jiāzú qǐyè zuìzhōng yóu nénglì gèng qiáng de shù zǐ jiēguǎn.

Although he is legitimate, the family business was eventually taken over by a more capable illegitimate son.

Related Characters

Component: 啇

Component: 女

嫡